Sound recorder and reproducer



v June 29, 1943. M. A. GILMAN ETAL SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Aug. 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 17. ilmmz June 29, 1943.

M. A. GILMAN ETAL SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUC ER Filed Aug. 5, 19:59

9 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. A. GILMAN ETAL SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUGER June 29, 1943.

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 5, '1939 & aim

June 29, 1943. GlLMAN r 2,323,215

SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Aug. 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 9 She ets-Sheet 5 M. A. GILMAN YETAL sounn RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Aug 5, 1939 June 29, 1943.

J ne 29, 1943- M. A. 'GI LMAN ETAL SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Aug. 5, 1939 9 Sheet s-Sheetfijzvarzlor arm ivazwzan .ENM

June 29, 1943. M. A. GILMAN ET AL 2,323,215

SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Aug. 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 J 9-- J6 I125 -48 Zq5 /5 2 JAZZ 145 n j I;

209 El Z 6 14 4 R j j)! I Z06 Z 6 I J15 2/0 2/! June 29, 1943. M. A. .GILMAN EI'AL 2,323,215

SOUND RECORDER AND REFRQDUCER 7 Filed Aug. 5, 19:59 9 Sheets-SheetB June 29, 1943. M. AQGILMAN LETAL SOUND RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Aug. 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Zzzmrzlorsf 027 15-29. zzlflzan Patented June 29, 1943 SOUND RECORDER ANn'RErRonUcER Morris A. Gilman, Chicago, and Carl Anderson, Oak Park, llL, assignors to Actino Laboratories, Inc., a corporation 01 Illinois Application August 5, 1939, Serial No. 288,668

3 Claims.

This. invention relates to a sound recorder and reproducer and more particularly to a mechanism for recording and reproducing sound on film.

On object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism for feeding an endless ribban of sound film through a recorder or reproducer mechanism. Another object is to provide a reel receiving a plurality of layers of film and adapted to feed the-film from the inner layer to a recording or reproducing mechanism which is positioned out of the plane of the reel. Still another object is to produce an improved mechanism for embossing a sound groove in a film. Yet another object is to provide, in connection with a sound film having a plurality of sound grooves therein, a mechanism for laterally shift-j show the reel and film thereon; Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view with the back plate of the housing broken away to show the mechanism there in, this view being taken from the line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6 of Fig. '1 Fig. 7 is a longitudinalsectional view taken along the lin 1 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an end elevation with a portion of the end wall of the housing broken away to show the shifting mechanism; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3 a of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line I0 of Fig. 5; Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line H of Fig. 3; Fig. 12 is a plan view of a portion,

of the film showing the longitudinal grooves therein; Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line |3 of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary,

transverse sectional view of the anvil with the film in position thereon engaged by the stylus of the recording mechanism; Fig. 15. is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view' showing the anvil; .and Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical circuit used in our invention.

In the specific embodiment of our invention described herein, the recorder and reproducer mechanism is carried on a plate A. B designates the mechanism for feeding the film to the recorder and reproducer. The film and reel are driven by a drive mechanism C, and a step by step shifting mechanism D causes the stylus of the recorder or reproducer to move laterally across the film.

The entire mechanism is supported by a housing Ill equipped with a base II, a front wall |2, end walls l3 and H, a removable rear wall l5, and a top wall it. The top wall It may carry supports 20 for a member I! which is provided with beveled edges l8 and I9.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the front wall l2 carries a rectangular plate 39 which, in turn,

' supports the plate A which may be resiliently mounted therein. The film 2|, moving from the feed mechanism B, travels on a path along a face of the plates 39 and A and is guided and driven along this path by a series of rollers. The film first passes over the idling roller 2 I, then to the anvil 22, the guide roller 23, and the stationary roller 24 to the drive roller 25. The film moves between the drive roller 25 and the clutch roller 26 and returns to the feed mechanism B. All of these'rollers are in alignment and serve to guide the film 2| throughout its path of travel.

Wipers 21 and 23, suitably mounted on the front wall |2 or the plate 39, preferably engage the film before it reaches the anvil 22, and a guide strip 29 receives the film as it leaves the clutch roller 26. As the film 2| passes over the anvil 22, it is engaged by the embossing stylus 30 of the recorder mechanism 3| which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 32 in the plate A. Similarly, as the film travels overthe stationary roller 24, it is brought into contact with the stylus 33 of the reproducing mechanism 34.

The drive roller 25 is equipped with a rubber or other frictional surface 35, in order to provide a frictional engagement with the film 2|. The clutch roller 26 may, although not so shown, be similarly equipped. A small light bulb 36 or other suitable heating element may be mounted on the front wall |2 adjacent the film 2| and the anvil 22'. Two projecting switch pins 31 and 38 yieldably engage the edge of the film and serve to actuate the lateral step by step shifting of the recorder and reproducer mechanism, as will later be described.

The film 2I may be of any suitable material for recording and reproducing sound on film,

such, for example, as a cellulose acetate ribbon. The film 2I'is preferably in the form of a continuous endless ribbon, which may pass from the 5 feed mechanism 13 through the recorder and reproducer back to the feed mechanism.

The recorder 3| may be of any suitable or convenient type adapted to convert variations in electrical current of audio frequencies into the movement of the stylus 38. Our improved mechanism is particularly adapted for use with a recorder in which the stylus 38 is adapted for lateral undulatory movement. The wires 48 serve as connections to the microphone and other 15 means used for converting sound into variations in electrical current. Since these means are well known, they are not shown or described herein.

The reproducer mechanism 34, which may be of any suitable form, is adapted to convert vibrations picked up by the stylus 33 into variations of electrical current which, in turn, may be converted into sound by any of the numerous well known means therefor (not shown) connected to the reproducer mechanism by the wires 4|.

Since reproducers of this type are well known in the art, a detailed description herein is believed unnecessary.

As seen particularly in Figs. 12 to 15; the

engagement of the stylus 38 of the recorder BI with the film 2I causes the embossing of a longitudinal groove 42 in the film. The stationary anvil 22 is provided with a single lateral or transverse groove 43 beneath the point at which the stylus engages the film, thereby aiding the embossing of the film in the formation of the groove. The anvil 22 is provided with means for maintaining the film in position thereon.

A bolt 44, provided with a head 45, is received within a central aperture in the anvil. A boss 46, threadedly secured to the end of the bolt 44, retains the head 45 of the bolt tightly against the anvil and the anvil in closely fitting position against the plate.38. The bolt 44, in turn, is

centrally apertured to receive a smaller bolt 41, 45

the end of which is threadedly engaged by a member 48, the whole assembly being supported outside the housing 48. The member 48 is yieldingly urged away from. the boss 46 by the spring 58. The head 58"- of the bolt 41 urges a fiat 50 circular washer 5!, the edges of which extend beyond the anvil 22, against the body thereof, retaining the film in position and alignment thereon.'

The film 2| preferably consists of an endless ribbon which is received in a plurality of wound layers within the feed mechanism B, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4. A casing 52, carrying a lid 53, encloses the reel 54 which is fixedly -mounted on top of the stationary shaft 55. The

film 2! is wound around the reel 54 in a plurality of layers 55' and supported on the rotatable base plate 56 carried by the hollow shaft 51. A portion of the reel 54 is turned upwardly and laterally to provide a guide member 58, the end of Strips 6| and 62 may be attached to the under surface of the lid 53 and serve to retain the film in position on the reel 54 and guide member 58. If desired, the lid 53 may be provided with radial downwardly to the base 56 and act to retain the film in tightly wound position. The pins 64, being slidable in the slots 63, may be adjusted to accommodate a varying number of layers resulting from the use of different lengths of film and may be secured in a given position by tightening the nuts 65.

At one side of the casing 52 a bracket 66 carries a downwardly curved guide 61, while on the other side a portion of the casing is cut away at 68, providing an aperture through which the film is received into the casing. On the front wall I2 a bracket 68 supports arcuate guide members 18 and a rod 1|, which cooperate to guide the film to the recess 68.

As seen particularly in Figs. 3, 4 and 11, the drive mechanism C is actuated by a motor 12, which drives pulley '13 connected by an endless cord 14 to a second and larger pulley 15. Pulley 15 is preferably of the double groove type and is fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 16.

As seen in Fig. 11, the drive shaft 16 is rotatably mounted on the bearing. surface 11 of the bracket 18. The bracket 18 may be supported on the base II in any suitable manner. A fiy wheel 18 steadies the action of the drive shaft. At one end the shaft 16 carries a pair of opposed bevel gears 88 and 8|, which mesh with the bevel gears 82 and 83, respectively, to continuously drive the shafts 84 and while the motor 12 is in operation.

Referring once more to Fig. 3, the shafts 8E and 85 are equipped at their ends with worm gears 86 and 81 rotatably supported in sleeves 88 and 88 carried by the brackets 288 and MI journaled on the shafts 88 and 8I. The worm gears 86 and 81 are so arranged as to mesh with the gears 82 and 83, driving the shafts 88 and 8I, to which the gears 82 and 83 are fixedly attached.

The other end of the main drive shaft 16 extends through the front wall l2 and carries the drive roller 25. Adjacent the fly wheel 18 a roller 84, equipped with an anti-friction face 85 of rubber or similar material, is mounted. The rubber face 85 engages the surface I88 of ,the driven roller 86 on the shaft 81. The bracket 88 supports the shaft 81 and is so arranged as to permit vertical slidable movement as well as rotation thereof. A pulley 88 is also carried by the shaft 81.

As seen particularly in Figs. 4 and 11, the pulley 89 is connected by belt I8I to a second pulley I82 on the shaft I83. The pulley I82 is supported by the bracket I84 carried by the fixed shaft I85 which is secured to the base II. The

movement of the pulley I82 on the shaft I83 drives the bevel gear I86 and a second bevel gear I81 meshing therewith. The shaft I85 is pro vided with a rotatable upper extension 51 on which the bevel gear I81 is mounted.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and '1, the shaft 81 terminates near the front wall I2 and is connected to a bell crank I88 pivotally mounted on the front wall at I88, one arm II8 of the bell crank I88 being secured to the shaft 81 and being connected to the clutch roller 26 at III. A depending arm H2 is attached to a rod H3 extending from the plunger .4 of the solenoid H5. A spring II6, attached at one end to the front wall I2 and at the other end to the pivot 282 for the rod I I3 and depending arm I I2, continuously urges the plunger out of the solenoid.

The step by step lateral shifting mechanism slots slidably receiving pins 64, which project '75 D includes two substantially identical mechanisms, as seen particularly in Figs. 5, 8, 9 and 10.

' One mechanism is connected to the reproducer 34 and the other to the recorder 3|. For convenience only one mechanism will be described herein. As previously described, the shafts 90 and 9| are continuously rotated when the motor 12 is in operation. The shaft 9| is joumaled in the bearing II1 supported by the bracket II8 depending from the cover I6. A clutch plate H9 is mounted on the inner end of the shaft SI and is provided with a friction surface I20. Opposing the friction'surface I is the sanded or otherwise roughened surface l2I of the notched disk I22 carried by the shaft I23. The shaft I23 is supported by the bearings I24 and 204 in the brackets I25 and 205 on the cover I6 in alignment with the shaft 90.

A worm gear I26 on the shaft I23 meshes with a gear sector I21 carried by the lever I28. A support I29 provides a pivotal mounting for the lever I28, which is further fixed in position by the washer I30 and nut I3I. At the opposite end the lever I28 is secured to a sleeve I32 on the arm I 33, which is slidable in the bearings I34 and I35 to laterally shift the recorder mechanism 3| attached to the end of the arm I33, Since movement of the lever I28 causes variations in the distance between the points on the 3 arm I33 and shaft I23 which are engaged by the lever, the'lever is preferably slidably mounted at each end in any suitable manner.

The clutch plate H9, as seen in Fig. 9, is engaged by an arm I36 equipped with a U-shaped extension I31 pivotally mounted at I38 and I39 in the supporting bracket I40 which, in turn, is secured to the cover I6. Preferably the bracket I40 is so positioned that the arm I36 extends beyond the axis of the clutch plate, thereby permitting an eccentric action of the arm when engaging the clutch plate I I9. To the other end of the arm I31 a pin MI is attached, the pin serving as a base for the attachment of the spring I42. The opposite end of the spring I42 is secured to the plunger I43 of the solenoid I44. The pin I also serves as a mounting for the spring I45 attached at its other end to the fixed pin I46.

A bar I41 is equipped with acut away portion on the under side of One end I48. The cut away portion at the end I48 normally extends beyond the arm I36, and the main portion of the bar I41 rests on the arm. However, when the arm I36 is moved forwardly towards the front wall I2, it becomes aligned with the cut away portion of the bar I41, which thereupon moves downwardly until the cut away portion is in engagement with the arm I36. The edge of the cut away portion in effect provides a flange which then prevents rearward movement of the arm I36 until the bar I41 is raised.

In this manner when the bar is in lower position in contact with the arm I36, it serves to prevent the arm from moving rearwardly and keeps the clutch plate II9 out of contact with the surface I2I of the notched disk I22. A supporting member I49, depending from the top wall I6, provides a. pivotal mounting for the bar I41 intermediate its ends. The outer or rearward end of the bar I 41 is provided with an extension I5I to which is secured a spring I50, urging the bar into yielding engagement with the arm I36.

The arm I36 also serves to make and break the circuit of the single contact switch 2 mounted adjacent the bar I41., When the arm I36 is moved to clutch engaging position, the switchis closed, to be opened again when the arm returns to the position shown in Fig. 5. The closing of the switch I62 energizes the solenoid I44 and causes the plunger I43 to be moved towards the front wall I2. The plunger I43 engages the strip 208, breaking the contact at 209 and closing the switch at 2I0. As the notch I88 in the film 2I passes the pin 38, opening the switch I62, the circuit forthe solenoid I44 is broken. However, the closing of the contact 2 I0, which occurs when the plunger I43 is advanced, serves also to energize the solenoid I44 and retain the plunger in advanced position.

When the plunger I43 is advanced, a tension is exerted on the sprin I42, which is sufiiciently strong to overcome the pull of the'spring I45 and move the arm I36 into clutch engaging position. As the arm I36 moves forwardly, the bar I41 drops down and locks it in position, while at the same time the switch 2 is closed. When the 'arm I36 moves forwardly, the surface I20 of the plate H9 frictionally engages the surface I2I of the disk I22 and causes the disk and shaft I23 to rotate with the shaft 90.

The rotation of the shaft I23 rotates the worm gear I26 and moves the sector I21, lever I28, and arm I33 carrying the reproducer mechanism 34. As the reproducer mechanism 35 is lifted laterally of the film 2| the stylus 33 is moved to the next the bar I42 prevents the sprin I45 from returnlateral shifting movement stops.

' from the last groove.

ing the arm I36 to disengage the plate H9 and the disk I22. The deenergizing of the solenoid I44 permits the plunger I43 to return. to its original position, opening the contact 2I0 (in series with the solenoid I 44) and closing the contact 209 (in series with the solenoid I52).

When the pin I53 reaches the next notch in the disk I22, it is received therein, opening the contact I51 and closing the contact I58, and energizing the solenoid I52 which raises the bar I41 from the arm I36, permitting the arm I36 to move rearwardly under the urging of the sprnig I45. As the arm I36 moves rearwardly, the plate H9 and disk I22 become disengaged and the At the same time the movement of the arm I36 permits the switch 2| I to be opened, deenergizing the solenoid I52 and allowing the bar I41 to fall to its original position. v

It will thus be seen that the solenoid I44 is energized when the switch I62 is closed and when the contacts 2I0 and I58 are closed simultaneously. The solenoid I 52, on the other hand, is energized when the switch 2 and the contacts 209 and I58 are closed simultaneously.

The contact I51 is connected in series with the switch 2I3 on the front wall I2 and the solenoid I44. This circuit is used to position the stylus 30 of the recorder 3| a predetermined distance This is desirable, in order that the grooves be equidistantly spaced. If such an arrangement is not provided, when the recorder is manually-moved to a new setting by the knob 2I4 a roove might be embossed in the wrong location on the film. To prevent such an occurrence it is necessary only to close the switch 2 I 3, which is normally open.

If the recorder 3I is in proper position, the pin I53 will be received within one of the notches in the disk I22, the contact I51 will be open, and the solenoid I44 will not be actuated. n the other hand, if the recorder 3I is not in proper position, the contact I51 will beclosed, the solenoid I44 energized, and the lateral shifting mechanism operated until the pin I53 is received within the next succeeding notchin the disk I 22.

A solenoid I52, supported by the top wall I6 above the bar I41, is adapted when energized to raise the bar I41 out of engagement with the arm I38.

The notched disk I22, carried by the shaft I23, is yieldingly engaged by a pin I53 on the member I54. The pin I53 is adapted to be received within the notches of the disk I22 when in alignment therewith. The member I54 is also equipped with another pin I 55 projecting therefrom and enga i g the strip 156 of a double switch I84.

The strip I56 is adapted to be alternately brought into engagement with the contacts I51 and I58 of the switch. When the pin I53 is received within a notch in the disk I22, the strip I56 engages the contact I58. On the other hand, when the pin I53 is not aligned with one of the notches of the disk I22, the member I54 i moved away from the disk and the strip I56 is brought into engagement with the contact I51.

Adjacent the forward end of the plunger I43 of the solenoid I44 is a switch 206 (seen particularly in Fig. 8) carried by a supporting member 201. The switch 206 is provided with a resilient ing reproducer shifting. mechanism when the stylus 33 is not in engagement with the film 2|.

The shaft I23 is equipped at its end adjacent a the front wall I2 with a gear I'Il meshing with the gears I12 and I13. The gear I12 is carried by a shaft I14 passing through the wall I2 and strip 208 adapted to engage the contact 209 or the contact 2| 0. The strip 208 normally engages the contact 209, but is released from such engagement and brought into engagement with the contact 2l0 by the plunger I43.

By means of this shiftin mechanism the stylus of the recorder 3I may be gradually moved laterally of the film to emboss an adjacent groove located a predetermined distance from the first groove. The corresponding shifting mechanism attached to the reproducer is seen particularly in Fig. 5.

The slidable recorder-carrying arm I33 is provided at its inner end with a pin I59 attached to a mounting I85 and adapted to be brought into engagement with the strip I60 of a switch I86, moving the strip I60 away from the contact I81. As the shifting mechanism is operated, the arm I33 moves laterally across the film and brings a the pin I59 closer to the front plate I2 and the strip I60. The mounting I85 is so positioned on arm I33 that the pin I59 does not engage the strip I60 until the reproducer has been laterally shifted across eighty grooves in the film 2|. It

is apparent that this arrangement may be varied,

but it is usually desirable in this type of apparatus to provide for not more than eighty grooves in a single film ribbon.

The film 2I may be provided with a cut away portion I88 (Fig. 12) at one side, which is adapted to engage the pins I31 and I38 of the plate 39 and to make and break the contacts in the The recorder 3|, which is pivotally mounted at being equipped at its exposed end with a knob I15 which is adapted to be manually turned to operate the shifting mechanism. The gear I13 is mounted on the shaft I16 extending through the front wall I2 and carrying outside th housing I0 a calibrated disk I11 which shows the extent of the lateral shifting of the stylus 33 along the film 2I. Preferably each unit I80 as marked on the disk I11 indicates the lateral movement of the stylus from one groove to the next adjacent groove and correspondsto a shift of the pin I53 to the next adjacent notch in the disk I22. Similar equipment, indicated generally by the numeral 2I2, is provided for the reproducer 3I.

A switch I89 may be mounted on the front wall I2 to operate the motor 12 or to energize the solenoid H5, or both. It is preferable, however, to provide separate means (not shown) for ener gizing the solenoid H5.

As seen particularly in Fig. 8, one of the end plates I3 is provided with a series of apertures I8! I82 and I83 to permit the electrical connections to be brought into the housing.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical circuit used in connection with our improved mechanism. Since the elements of this circuit have been labeled in accordance with the preceding description, it is believed unnecessary to further describe the circuit except in connection with the operation of the mechanism.

Operation As previously stated, the film 2| passes from the feed mechanism B along the idling r'ollerll, the anvil 22, the stationary roller 23, the supporting roller 24, the drive roller 25 and clutch roller 26, and then returns to the feed mechanism B. Wipers 21 and 28 remove from the film any particles of dust or dirt which may have accumulated thereon because of the static charge of electricity acquired by the film.

When the motor 12 is set in operation, the

, and the hollow shaft 51. The rotation of the hollow shaft causes the plate 56 to rotate within the casing 52 and to feed the film out over the guide 58 of the reel 54. At the same time the clutch roller 26 is brought into engagement with thedrive roller 25, and the film is caused to pass along the path previously described. 1

It will be noted that the rotation of the plate 56 occurs only in cooperation with the engagement of the clutch roller with the drive roller 25."

has taken place, the appropriate switch Iii qr.

Iii is closed by contact of the cut away portion I" of the film 2| with the pin 31 or the pin 3!,

thus causing the lateral step by step shifting mechanism to be set into operation. The step by step lateral shifting of the reproducer or recorder mechanism continues until eighty or other predetermined number of steps have been reached. At this point the switch l8} acts to deenergize the solenoid I55 and stop the operation of the machine.

While we have shown and described certain support member, a rotatable plate disposed becentral support member adapted to receive a plurality of layers of film thereabout, said layers being in a substantially horizontal'plane, a film carrying guide member secured to said support member and projecting therefrom in a plane transverse to said first-mentioned plane, said guide member being turned to project at its end in a plane substantially parallel to said firstmentioned plane, means for guiding said film from said mechanism to the outer layer on said neath said support member and adapted to fricembodiments of our invention, it is to be under'- stood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and ar rangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is our intention to claim all novelty inherent in our invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art'. We claim:

1. In apparatus of the character set forth prothereof, a film carrying guide member secured to said support member and projecting. therefrom in a plane transverse to said first-mentioned plane, said guide member being turned to project at its end in a plane substantially parallel to said first-mentioned plane, means for guiding said film from said mechanism to the outer layer on said support member, a cover member extending over layers of film and supported thereabove, means carried by said cover member and engaging the upper edges of said layers of film to maintain the same in alignment, a plurality of rollers depending from said cover member and arranged to engage the periphery of the outer layer of film, said rollers being radially adjustable with respect to said cover. member, and means for rotating'said disc to feed the inner layer of film from said reel.

2. In apparatus of the character set forth provided with a sound mechanism equipped with a stylus for engaging sound film, a film feeding and driving mechanism comprising an'arcuate member extending over the layers of film and tionally engage the lower edges of the layers of said film, a cover member extending over said layers of film, means carried by said cover member for engaging the upper edges of said layers of film to maintain the same in alignment, a plurality of rollers depending: from said cover member and arranged to engage the outer periphery of the outer layer of said film, said rollers being radially adjustable with respect to said cover member, means for providing a path for said film along said mechanism between said guide member and said guide means, a drive roller disposed along said path for frictionally engaging the film to move the same along the path, and single power means for synchronously and simultaneously rotating said drive roller and said plate to feed the film'from the inner layer thereof along said path and for returning the same to said outer layer.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, a reel for carrying an endless ribbon of sound film or the like, comprising a central support meme ber adapted to receive a plurality of layers of film thereabout, said layers being disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, a r'otatably horizontal plate mounted beneath said layers of film and frictionally engaging the lower edges thereof, a film carrying guide member secured to said support member and projecting therefrom in'a plane transverse to said first-mentioned plane, said guide member being turned to project at its end in a plane substantially parallel to said first-. mentioned plane, means for guiding said film to the outer layer on said support member, a cover supported thereabove, means carried by said cover member and engaging the upper edges of said layers of film to maintain the same in alignment, means carried by said cover member and depending therefrom for engaging the periphery of the outer layer of film, said last-mentioned means beingreadily adjustable with respect to said cover member, and means for rotating said plate to feed the inner layer of film from said reel.

MORRIS A. GILMAN. CARL ANDERSON. 

